Have you ever completed a writing assignment on your computer and printed a copy of it to hand in to your teacher? What happens if your dog eats that copy of your homework? No problem, right? You just print another copy!

Now imagine you were a student years and years ago before computers and printers were commonplace. What did students do back in those days? If you can imagine this…they actually wrote their papers by hand! And students with hungry dogs? Well…they could be in some real trouble!

Today, we take it for granted that modern technology allows us to print unlimited copies of documents from our computers. If we don't have a computer or printer nearby, no problem! All we need to do is take a document to a photocopier and make as many copies as we need. Long ago, that was not the case.

In the 1800s, businesses relied upon copy clerks and scribes to make handwritten copies of important documents. Of course, it took a lot of time to make copies by hand. It wasn't long before inventors were working on ideas for how to make copying documents easier.

Over time and with many improvements and refinements along the way, a copying solution was eventually developed: carbon paper. Carbon paper consisted of a sheet of paper that was coated on one side with a layer of carbon black (soot) bound with wax.

When placed between an original and a second piece of paper to be copied onto, carbon paper would transfer marks made by the pressure applied by a typewriter or pen. For example, when you would write your name on the original, your pen would make an impression on the carbon paper, pushing the carbon black onto the second piece of paper.

Carbon paper saw many improvements over its lifetime. Carbon black was eventually replaced with dry inks and pigmented coatings. Likewise, wax was eventually replaced with polymers that could be applied with solvents to plastic films instead of paper. Despite these improvements, the products were always known as carbon papers.

Carbon papers became very popular. Not only were they a big hit with businesses, which used them to make copies of legal documents, but they were also used by a wide variety of individuals to make copies of manuscripts, letters, and other forms. Carbon papers also became an important part of credit card transaction receipts.

With the development of photocopiers and computer printers, carbon paper isn't nearly as popular today as it was many years ago. It does remain popular for a few specialty uses, however. Although it's only made by a couple of small companies in the United States, carbon paper remains a popular tool for making copies in point-of-sale transactions, tracking slips for mail delivery services, and duplicate checks and money orders.

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Try It Out

We hope you enjoyed learning more about carbon paper today! Keep learning even more when you check out the following activities with a friend or family member:

Have you ever tried using carbon paper? Why not try it today! Ask an adult friend or family member to take you to an office supply store to get some carbon paper. Bring it home and give it a whirl. What will you try to copy? How do you think using carbon paper compares to more modern technological methods?

What else can you do with carbon paper? Make crafts! If you're feeling crafty, head over to the Internet to check out Carbon Paper Crafts. What will you make? A reindeer? Custom lettering? There are all sorts of options! Browse through the available projects and choose one or two to try with a friend or family member.

Do you like temporary tattoos? At birthday parties or special events, it can be a lot of fun to put on temporary tattoos with your friends. Did you realize you can make your own custom temporary tattoos with carbon paper? Give it a try! Just jump online to read through How To Use Carbon Paper for Fake Tattoos. What designs will you create?

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2015

Hello, Trevor Forney! We are glad you found this WONDER interesting! There are only a few small companies in the U.S. still making carbon paper. However, they are very needed because carbon paper is still used for certain things, such as point-of-sale transaction receipts. Maybe you could do more research about the companies making the carbon paper at your library. Happy WONDERing! :)

Ethan

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2015

Great question, Ethan! The WONDER tells us that "carbon paper consisted of a sheet of paper that was coated on one side with a layer of carbon black (soot) bound with wax." Thanks for WONDERing with us! :)

Wonderopolis

Jan 23, 2015

Hi Gabe! Inventors continue to create things that make everyday tasks easier. Think about how much easier finding directions is with a GPS, than when everyone relied only on the compass. Check out Wonder #1371:How Does a Compass Work? Thanks for commenting! :)